Hahn sings Ventura's praises

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Rick Hahn said Robin Ventura may have "exceeded expectations'' in his first season as White Sox manager.

"We knew he had the potential to grow into one of the finer managers in the league and I think he got there a lot more quickly than we even anticipated,'' Hahn said Wednesday. "Whether it be communicating with the players to setting the tone to focus on what helps us win that night's game to really his in-game management strategy to put his players in position to succeed. He was fantastic for us and we're looking forward to him being a veteran manager next year.''

Ventura, who finished third in American League Manager of the Year voting behind Bob Melvin and Buck Showalter, downplayed the kudos.

"I don't see it as I was good at it,'' Ventura said. "I can get better. That's hopefully what happens.

"I think any time you go into something, you think you know it all or are done learning, you're going backwards. Getting better with in-game stuff, in-between game stuff and even after game stuff with you guys [media] would hopefully I get better at.''

Hahn said he hopes to give Ventura a more flexible roster that would give him the wherewithal to be a better in-game manager.

"Perhaps this year we'll give him a roster that has a little more flexibility, which will be a challenge for him to put the guys in the right position, to get the most out of the player who has some positional flexibility or having more lineup options on a given day based on who we're facing,'' Hahn said. "Part of that is incumbent on us.''